WHALE SHARKS ARE NOT WHALES, THEY ARE SHARKS: Although these huge sea creatures are called ‘whale sharks’, they are not actually whales, but filter-feeding sharks
EATING IS LABORIOUS WORK: Whale sharks are filter feeders and can neither bite nor chew.
THEY CAN BE VERY OLD: It's thought that less than 10% of whale sharks born survive to adulthood, but those that do may live to 150.
ALONG WITH OTHER SHARKS, THEY’RE UNDER THREAT: Many sharks are accidentally caught in fishing gear, as well as caught deliberately for their fins, which are a delicacy in Asia.
THEY’RE SLOW SWIMMERS AND MIGRATE A LONG WAY: Whale sharks can be found in all temperate and tropical oceans around the world, except the Mediterranean Sea.